495

Year 495 was a common year starting on Sunday. This year marked the Eleventh year of the Pendragon Campaign and the final year of the Uther Era.

Events

King Uther, at least able to stand but not able to fight, led troops north to defeat the Saxons under King Octa, recently escaped from prison.
Upon sighting the city of St. Albans, peasants came out of hiding to inform the assembled armies that the city had just been taken by Saxons, and that they were fleeing for their lives.
Duke Ulfius ordered a charge of his mounted troops, as the city gates were still open, giving the army the best chance to take the city back quickly and attack the Saxons. This was a trap, however, and the Knights of the Sword barely managed to avoid being taken by surprise.
Saxon archers attacked, and Ulfius was badly injured. The Knights of the Sword managed to save Ulfius and pull him back toward the main lines, but a large number of knights were killed in the hail of arrows.
A battle ensued, and the Knights of the Sword were almost all knocked injured severely in the combat. Of note, the chieftain Caedwulf appeared and defeated Sir Alaric in combat, nearly killing the good knight.
The losses were high on both sides, but the Saxons were finally defeated, but at great cost to the armies of Logres.

That night, as chirurgery was performed on Sir Alaric and Sir Oswulf, a great feast was held. Uther and Ygraine attended, along with most of the great nobles.
A separate, but no less lavish, feast was held for the household knights and lesser nobles, which was attended by Dame Eithne. In the midst of the night, however, Eithne was disturbed by screams and horrifying smells.
Investigating, Eithne and Runa discovered that the nobles were vomiting blood, turning purple, and dying. No medical aid could help them, the poison acted too quickly. Earl Roderick was among the dead, leaving Salisbury with no ruler.
Uther, who was killed along with the others, also had a stab wound that Eithne discovered.